She joined us fresh from maternity leave after having her baby son, while she also has a daughter, Florence, who recently featured on our social media channels, having donated locks of her hair to the Little Princess Trust.
Since joining us, Katie has not only made an impact in the department but has transformed our understanding of dementia as a firm and also, as a Dementia Ambassador, has shared her knowledge with other businesses and organisations.
With her help, CooperBurnett was named as the first ‘Dementia Friendly’ business in Tunbridge Wells, while she also supports fundraising for Dementia Friends – which helps people with dementia and their families across our area. Dementia Friends is a national initiative from Alzheimer’s Society that aims to change the way we think, act and talk about dementia.
“Within the Private Client team, we have all developed specialist areas and I have become increasingly involved with supporting our elderly and vulnerable clients,” says Katie. “It’s an area we simply can’t ignore. There is currently no cure for dementia and more and more people will be living with it as the years go on. As a community, there isn’t as much understanding as there could be and, through Dementia Friends, we are hoping to change that.”
As a Dementia Ambassador, Katie’s plan is to start rolling-out hour-long information sessions which are tailored to different groups in the local community including school children and businesses.
In her role as a Private Client solicitor, specialising in Wills, LPAs and probate, Katie frequently acts for clients who have been affected, both directly and indirectly, by dementia.
“The tools and understanding I’ve developed due to my association with Dementia Friends has really helped me in my role here at CooperBurnett,” says Katie. “I’ve become more understanding and sensitive to the situations I find myself in with my elderly clients. It’s about treating people with the respect they deserve.”
Katie graduated with a degree in law from the University of Kent in 2005 and completed her Legal Practice Course (LPC) at The College of Law in Guildford in 2008. She qualified in 2012.
“I was always particularly drawn to Private Client work,” says Katie. “I like the fact that it is very client-facing and you meet all types of people. It’s a role in which one needs to be sensitive and sympathetic and that’s something which I’m really comfortable with.”
In her spare time, Katie enjoys arts and crafts, a hobby she shares with her children.
If you are interested in finding out more about how your business can become Dementia Friendly, please get in touch with Katie on kch@cooperburnett.com or tel: 01892 515022
